THE creator of a drug-free treatment for Crohn's disease is just one recipient of today's royal awards which recognise the best of British business.

Five companies in the Merseyside region were declared winners of The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2003.

The annual awards were split into three categories - international trade, sustainable development and innovation.

SHS International, which manufactures clinical nutrition products used in the management of rare medical disorders, clinched one of the international trade awards.

Founded in 1960, the Wavertreebased company produces drug-free treatments for dietary health conditions including Crohn's disease, a chronic bowel complaint, cows' milk allergy and coeliac disease. It exports to all developed countries in the world with the US making up 42pc of overseas sales.

Employing around 300 staff, it has recently broken into markets in Russia, Belarus, South Africa and the Middle East.

A Queen's Awards spokesman said: "SHS International operates in a highly-specialised and heavily regulated niche market and exports have been built up by developing close links with centres of excellence and key opinion leaders in its chosen disease areas."

Engineering firm Amec Group was also a winner in the international trade category.

The Northwich-based company began to export its services four years ago to clients in manufacturing, commercial, oil and gas industries.

It has quadrupled its export business over the past three years in challenging areas of the world including Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Angola, the Philippines and Kazakhstan.

Fairbanks Environmental picked up the prize for innovation with its detection system for leaks at petrol stations.

The Skelmersdale-based company has saved its clients a total of #3m by detecting small leaks more quickly than conventional systems.

Warrington-based Ineos Silicas was also an innovation award winner for its product which indicates moisture levels using coloured silica gel.

Silica gel is used in the production and storage of electronic products to create a low humidity.

Cobalt chloride, which was previously used as a colour indicator to show when the silica needed to be changed, was declared potentially carcinogenic in 1999.

Thermal Ceramics UK, based in Bromborough, was also given a Queen's Award for innovation.

The firm has developed insulation wools that can be used in high-temperature manufacturing.

The 123 winning companies nationally ranged from those employing four to those with a workforce of 108,600.

Winners benefit from the prestige associated with the awards and are entitled to fly the award flag and display the emblem on their letter headings.

More than half were first time winners, while 11pc were current holders.

The awards are made by the Queen on the advice of Prime Minister Tony Blair who is assisted by an advisory committee.